Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) Hits New 1-Year High at $129.00

Willis Lease Finance Co. (NASDAQ:WLFC)’s share price hit a new 52-week high during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $129.00 and last traded at $127.50, with a volume of 10677 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $123.24.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, StockNews.com lowered shares of Willis Lease Finance from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 21st.

Willis Lease Finance Trading Down 0.8 %

The company has a market capitalization of $868.03 million, a PE ratio of 15.22 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.95, a current ratio of 1.80 and a quick ratio of 1.28. The company’s fifty day moving average is $99.32 and its 200-day moving average is $71.99.

Willis Lease Finance (NASDAQ:WLFC) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 1st. The transportation company reported $6.21 EPS for the quarter. Willis Lease Finance had a return on equity of 19.51% and a net margin of 18.16%. The firm had revenue of $151.12 million during the quarter.

Willis Lease Finance Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, August 21st. Shareholders of record on Monday, August 12th were paid a $0.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, August 12th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.76%. Willis Lease Finance’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 11.52%.

Insider Transactions at Willis Lease Finance

In other news, President Brian Richard Hole sold 6,147 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.09, for a total value of $412,402.23. Following the completion of the sale, the president now owns 107,875 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,237,333.75. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In related news, CFO Scott B. Flaherty sold 1,742 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $109.22, for a total value of $190,261.24. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 93,213 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,180,723.86. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, President Brian Richard Hole sold 6,147 shares of Willis Lease Finance stock in a transaction dated Thursday, June 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.09, for a total value of $412,402.23. Following the sale, the president now directly owns 107,875 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,237,333.75. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last three months, insiders have sold 45,343 shares of company stock valued at $4,556,534. Corporate insiders own 57.02% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Empowered Funds LLC increased its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 7.7% in the first quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 22,062 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $1,095,000 after acquiring an additional 1,575 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 6.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 19,732 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,367,000 after buying an additional 1,187 shares during the last quarter. Nisa Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Willis Lease Finance in the 2nd quarter valued at about $69,000. BNP Paribas Financial Markets boosted its stake in shares of Willis Lease Finance by 14.0% in the first quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 4,887 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $242,000 after buying an additional 599 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Hillsdale Investment Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Willis Lease Finance during the first quarter worth about $114,000. 93.70% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Willis Lease Finance

Willis Lease Finance Corporation operates as a lessor and servicer of commercial aircraft and aircraft engines worldwide. The company operates through two segments, Leasing and Related Operations, and Spare Parts Sales. The Leasing and Related Operations segment engages in acquiring and leasing commercial aircraft, aircraft engines, and other aircraft equipment, as well as the purchase and resale of commercial aircraft engines and other aircraft equipment, and other related businesses.